MARAWI CITY, Jan. 26 (PIA) - To continue the repair and reconstruction of damaged houses of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the most affected area (MAA) of the city, Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) resumed "Kathagombalay" or the processing of applications to secure permits and other clearances for IDPs who intend to repair or reconstruct their houses.

Launched in 2019, Kathagombalay is spearheaded by Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) in close coordination with the city government of Marawi, National Housing Authority (NHA), and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Kathagombalay also provides an opportunity to fix boundaries, records, services and systems of houses in the MAA.

It was temporarily stopped in March 2020 due to the threat of the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic.

How Kathagombalay operates

Homeowners can only return to visit their properties after they secure a permit from the city government. To get a permit, they need to fill up a form, present land titles or deeds, barangay clearance, and tax clearance.

Kathagombalay applicants also need to present house tagging of their properties acquired from the DENR's social cartography program.

The application will be evaluated by the city government's Office of the Building Official (OBO). Once the building permit is approved, TFBM and the city government will be informed and NHA will monitor the repair or construction of the structure.

After the repair or reconstruction is completed, OBO will issue an occupancy permit and the return of MAA residents will be scheduled.

Marawi IDPs in great hopes of their return to homes

Mustapha Matonding, a homeowner in Barangay Moncado Kadingilan who lived in Manila after the siege decided to go home with her family in hopes to reconstruct their destroyed home. He said he was informed by his brother to personally apply for Kathanor, a census in October 2018, deliberated to collect the number, location, status and other characteristics of the IDPs.

"Napakaganda kasi nawala na yung napaka-crowded na application, ngayon systematic na. Pagdating natin naaasikaso na tayo agad," added Matonding.

He also shared that he was planning to reconstruct their two-storey house upon approval.

On the other hand, Sahira Hadji Isa of Barangay Daguduban of Disomangcop Village said as the Kathagombalay resumes, her family is in great hopes in their immediate return.

"Nagpapasalamat po kami sa lahat dahil sa ngayon po ay maayos na yung processing at makakabalik na po kami sa bahay namin," remarked Isa.

Matonding and Isa are urging their fellow IDPs to apply for Kathagombalay to establish an orderly return to their homes.

A total of 1,922 repair and building permits were already approved on record with 477 in Brgy. Daguduban, 460 applications in Brgy. Tolali, 261 in Moncado Kadingilan, 183 in Brgy. Kapantaran, 122 in Brgy. Marinaut East, 112 in Brgy. Moncado Colony, 81 in Brgy. Wawalayan Marinaut, 72 in Brgy. Tuca Marinaut, 59 in Brgy. Sangkay Dansalan, 44 in Brgy. Sabala Manao, 30 in Brgy. Lilod Madaya, 8 in Norhaya Village, 7 in Brgy. South Madaya, 4 in Brgy. Banggolo, and 2 in Brgy. Bubonga Madaya.

Out of the approved permits, a total of 482 repair and reconstruction of houses are ongoing in Sectors 1, 2 and 3 of MAA. So far, 133 homeowners in Sector 1 in Brgy. Tolali completed the reconstruction of their houses and already have occupancy permits. (KAPS/PIA-ICIC)